By: Cameron Kobara
The sun shined high and bright over Levi’s south, the San Francisco 49ers were facing division rivals, the Los Angeles Rams. It was almost like another home game for SF as SoFi stadium filled with the red and gold. Coming into this game, the 49ers were seen as the underdogs, many of their soldiers were out: Purdy, Kittle, Aiyuk, Jennings, and Pearsall were among the many wounded.
This wasn’t an ordinary rivalry game, the 49ers needed to succeed if they hoped to stay atop the NFC West, and with nearly every starting offensive player out, their chances looked slim. While morale was down, back-up quarterback Mac Jones stepped out onto the field, the glistening stadium lights capturing the slaughter of rams as Mac10 charged downfield. Finding Kendrick Bourne– the 49ers painted the scoreboard with their message… this would be a helluva ball game. The 49ers would have the lead early: 14-0
The Rams remained resilient, they put seven points on the board, but could not keep up with the 49ers as the score increased to 20-7. The Rams made costly mistakes— missed field goals and poor defense did not give them any hope. However, the Rams managed to acquire some momentum, the score got closer and the 49ers’ lead began to waver. Late in the fourth, 49ers kicker Eddy Pineiro launched a field goal from 59 yards out. Traumatized by Jake Moody, fans couldn’t bear to watch.
The kick was good.
49er fans wailed like banshees. The game was as good as over, but in the final seconds, Rams kicker Joshua Karty tied the game with a 48 yard field goal.
The game was forced to overtime. The 49ers answered first with another field goal made by Eddy Pineiro from 41 yards out, going 11/11 on the season. The Rams shot back, and the 49ers defense faltered as the Rams fought with grit down to 4th and 1. The Rams sat on the goal line with only one yard needed to win the game, with seconds left on the clock, fans thought it was over. Rams head coach Sean McVay called a run play, the ball was handed off to Rams running back Kyren Williams…
Just like that, Kyren fumbled, and the 49ers recovered for another win in their “home” stadium.
The 49ers’ victory on Thursday Night Football was more than an upset, it was a message to the rest of the NFL that the 49ers were here to stay amongst the top of the NFC, defeating one of the top playoff contenders, with nothing but backups on offense. (+ Christian McCaffrey)